Find out how the UK general elections works, how to register to vote, and what to do on voting day.
What is the 2024 general election?
The UK general election will take place on 4th July 2024.
The UK public will vote for their local MP (Member of Parliament) who will represent them in parliament. Most MP candidates will represent a political party, but some may stand as independent.
The candidate who receives the most votes will represent their local constituency. There are 650 constituencies in the UK and the leader of the party with the most MPs becomes the prime minister.
If there is no majority, we have a hung parliament. Then the largest party could form a coalition government with another party or they could act as a minority government, relying on votes from other parties to pass UK legislation.
UK voting eligibility
To vote in the UK general election, you must be:
- A registered voter
- Aged 18+ on polling day (the day you vote)
- A British, Irish, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- A resident at a UK address. If living abroad, you must be registered as an overseas voter.
- Not legally excluded from voting.
It takes around 5 minutes to register and ensures you get to vote for what you believe in.
Registering to vote in the UK
Registered voters in the UK can vote by going to the polling station, by postal vote, or by proxy vote. To be registered in time for the general election, you must meet these deadlines:
June 18th 2024: your deadline to register to vote. You can do this online. If you have changed your name, address or nationality, you will need to register again, as this information will appear on the electoral register.
If you’re concerned about your name and address appearing on the electoral register for safety reasons, you can register to vote anonymously, but there is a different process. You will have the same deadline.
June 19th 2024: your deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on this day. You can vote this way if you won’t be able to vote at the polling station on the day.
June 26th 2024: your deadline to apply for a proxy vote (this is when someone can vote on your behalf. You can vote this way if you won’t be able to vote at the polling station on the day. This is also your deadline to apply for a Voter ID certificate, if you don’t already have a valid form of photo identification.
What to expect on voting day
On 4th July 2024, registered voters will be able to visit their local polling station to vote for their MP. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. You will be sent a poll card before voting day that tells you where to vote, but you can also check online if you are unsure.
You will give your name and address to staff at the polling station, show your photo ID to confirm your identity, and you will be given a ballot paper. You’ll then go into a booth to make your vote. Although there will be instructions at the polling station, the staff are there to help you make your vote (but they are not there to help you decide who to vote for, that is your decision alone).
If you can’t confirm your identity with your ID, you will not be able to vote. There are many acceptable forms of ID including a passport or driving licence; you can find the full list here.
If your photo ID is out of date, that is ok as long as it still looks like you. It should also have the correct information e.g. the name you used to register to vote.
If you don’t have a suitable photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate once you are a registered voter (Northern Ireland residents will need an Electoral Identity Card instead). Your deadline for this is 5pm on 26th June 2024.
Find out more about voting and the general election
To explore more impartial information about voting and politics in the UK, here are some places to find information:
